aggressions and barriers. For example, people assume Cox’s
PhD is in a “desk jockey” field, such as accounting or computer
science, rather than psychology. In addition, he believes most
people only consider visibly impaired people as disabled —
overlooking those with
learning disabilities or
mental health issues.

Cox also hasencountered barriers in hisprofessional life. Duringconferences, for example,he has had to sit in isolatedaccessible sections or hashad to miss socializingand networking with peersdue to lack of access tocertain venues. Sometimeshe even feels that duringfirst encounters, his peerswithout disabilities arehesitant to talk to him.“I don’t think peopledo it out of intentionalprejudice,” Cox says.“I think it’s just lackof visibility within ourprofession of individualswith disability.”Still, Cox says he hashad a very rewardingcareer, especially becauseof his relationships withhis students as mentorand teacher. “Withoutquestion, encouragingand supporting studentsduring such a criticalperiod in their professionaldevelopment has been thegreatest gift.”

Finding strength in diversity

Kara Ayers was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a type
of dwarfism that causes brittle bones. As a young child, she
broke at least 60 bones. The breakage slowed after puberty
when bone density rises. Today, Ayers says she’s more likely
to experience micro-fractures, aches and soreness. She uses a
wheelchair full time.

Ayers, 35, earned her PhD in clinical psychology fromNova Southeastern University in 2011. She is the advocacycoordinator at the University of Cincinnati’s University Centerfor Excellence in Developmental Disabilities where she saysshe “works toward a vision that people with disabilities andtheir families will lead the lives they want,” including providingtraining and technical assistance. Her job also requires herto educate and work withpolicymakers on disabilityrights. In addition, sheteaches psychology coursesand has developed curriculafor three local colleges anduniversities.Beyond her career, Ayersis a passionate advocate forparents with disabilities.She and her husband, whoalso has OI, have a 5-year-old biological daughter(who does not have thecondition) and an 8-year-old son, adopted last yearfrom China, who hasanother form of dwarfism(achondroplasia).She helps parents withdisabilities learn their rightsand know what resourcesare available for support.“We need to replace archaicand discriminatory policiesthat list disability in and ofitself as grounds for removalof children from thecustody of their parents,”says Ayers.Ayers credits the ADAwith supporting her rightto request equal accessand says it has helped hermotivate others to helpbuild and maintain diversecommunities. That said, shewishes the law had “a more explicit system for enforcement” —one that doesn’t lay the burden on the person with the disabilityto complain when the law isn’t enforced.She sometimes is frustrated by the pace of advancement forpeople with disabilities, noting that “we’ve known ways to betterinclude and support people with disabilities for decades. It’sbasic common sense and compassion for humanity as a whole.”The psychology field, too, has a way to go, Ayers says, citingjob discrimination as one issue. “We’d like to believe that our fieldwould be open-minded and unbiased. That doesn’t seem to beDr. Randall J. Cox